OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices are continuing fairly steady with one major exception, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the fourth week of March 2015.

As has been the case in March, 10-34-0 starter fertilizer is seeing much higher retail fertilizer prices because of issues surrounding an acid shortage used to manufacture the nutrient. 10-34-0 jumped 7% compared to a month earlier and has an average price of $639 per ton.

Six other major fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier, but none of the six was up significantly. DAP averaged $570/ton, MAP $598/ton, potash $490/ton, anhydrous $706/ton, UAN28 $333/ton and UAN32 $371/ton.

Only one fertilizer slipped lower compared to the previous month. Urea was down just slightly during this time. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $467 per ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.51/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.59/lb.N and UAN32 $0.58/lb.N.

The weather -- specifically the lack of early spring rains in some areas of the Western Corn Belt -- could have a large effect on how much fertilizer is applied. Royce Bialas, Central Farmers Cooperative branch manager in Dimmock, South Dakota, said farmers in his southeastern South Dakota region have stopped applying fertilizers this spring because it is so dry.

"This is big deal for us; if it doesn't starting raining, we could be looking at maybe 30% of our tonnage not getting applied," Bialas told DTN.

Bialas said he hopes Mother Nature blesses them with rain soon, but if this dry stretch of weather continues into April, local farmers could be forced to alter their fertilizer plans.

Farmers could apply limited fertilizer before planting, plant the crop and then come back with a side-dressing trip later. While many of his farmer/customers already split apply nitrogen fertilizer, those who farm many acres might find it difficult to cover all their production with side-dressing operations, he said.

As for fertilizer prices, Bialas said the big news continues to be the price spike in 10-34-0 because of an acid shortage. This news has surprised many fertilizer retailers who try to keep a close eye out for supply issues, he said.

"I think farmers will still be able to get 10-34-0 this spring if they didn't lock in the price earlier, but they may not like the price of starter," he said. "I am guessing some farmers might try to find alternatives to starter fertilizer."

Two of the eight major fertilizers are now double digits higher in price compared to March 2014, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. 10-34-0 is 24% higher while anhydrous is 12% more expensive compared to a year earlier.

Potash is 3% higher while MAP is 1% more expensive compared to a year earlier.

Four nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. DAP is 1% lower, UAN28 is down 5%, UAN32 is now 6% less expensive and urea is 14% cheaper.